The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-06-24
SHEEP SHEARING.

WIN FARMERS VINO keep large HOOK
of sheep, shearing is one of the big jobs
of the summer. When the R,waE editor.
was farmer, this event seldom occurred,
until about the middle of June, when.
summer weather was fairly established,
and there was no longer any fear that
the shorn sheep would be. chilled by
cold storms or sudden fall oftemperature.
The farmers generally worked on the
highways, after planting was all finished, 7
about the first week in June. Then
came sheep washing, a job of short
duration, but involving no little EXPOSURE
while lasting. owing to the practice Of
the washers going into the water with
the sheep and remaining therein two or
three hours, until all were washed.
When the old total abstinence temper
ance revival occurred, some forty or
fifty years ago, and temperance farmers
banished intoxicating liquors from the
farm and rural home, the occasion of
sheep washing chung to the ardent the
longest of all. The heated hayers and
harvesters could be denied the aceus-
toned potations without conjunction,
but when it came to refusing it to the
men who stood in the water for two or
three hours, the principles of the farmer
Were put to the severest test.
About week after sheep washing, if
the weather remained fair, they were
considered dry enough to shear. We
think the practice now being quite gen
orally adopted by wool-growers, Of
shearlng without pretence sof washing, a
decided advance. At the best, butaa
portion of the dirt was washed out of the
wool, while the injury to the sheep was
considerable, at times.
Sheep shearing is an art, and no one
should undertake it who is not prepared
to proceed with utmost caution and
learn to perform it with skill, before
offering himself as an expert We.have
seen sheep awfully cut and slashed by
awkward or careless shearers. tits hard
~ advisable to hire shearing done blythe
head. for many, in their haste to make
large wages, will leave the sheep very
rough, leaving the wool too long in
places and taking off the skin with it in
others.
Many conveniences may be provided
on the shearing floor to tighten the labors
of shearing. A low table on which to
place the sheep while cutting, off the
fleece will prevent backache. A con-
venlent box in which to place the fleece.
while trying it, will facilitate the opera
ton. 1t will add one or two cents
pound to the market value of the wool
to roll it up carefully, so as to expose
none but the inside of the fleece. A /
ragged, broken fleece with the dirty out
side occasionally exposed, will not bring
full price in market. SIS
Good shepherds tag their sheep when
turning them out to grass, but they will
frequently besmear some of their wool. |
Such locks should be clipped off and
dropped upon the floor, never done up
with the fleece. All such dirty locks
should be picked up, soaked, washed |
and sold by themselves as loose wool. |
They may bring more, if cleansed, than |
the fleece wool, but if dirty, loose locks
are done up inside the feeces, it will |
lnJure the reputation of the flock owner.
even if they escape the eyes of the pur-
chaser.
10 shear sheep as quickly as posi-
bic, no time must be lost by false mo-
tons. 1t is good plan to commence at
the head, shear the head and neck all
around, then commence on the belly.
laying the sheep upon one side, and
complete one side, legs and all, first
then carefully turn the sheep, so as not
to tear the fleece, and finish the other
side.
At shearing is the best time for assorts
ing the flock. If there are any withlight
Heeces, thin or bare spots or poor wool,
Or that have outlived their best-years,
have paint dish convenient, make a
mark by which to identify, and turn into
good pasture to fatten for the butcher.
There is no economy in keeping any
hing inferior, any but the best.